CreateDebate is a social debate community built around ideas, discussion and democracy.
If this is your first time checking out a debate, here are some quick tips to help get you started:

Arguments with the highest score are displayed first.
Argument replies (both in favor and in opposition) are displayed below the original argument.
To follow along, you may find it helpful to show and hide the replies displayed below each argument.

To vote for an argument, use these icons:
You have the power to cast exactly one vote (either up or down) for each argument.
Once you vote, the icon will become grayed out and the argument's score will change.
Yes, you can change your vote.

Debate scores, side scores and tag scores are automatically calculated by an algorithm that primarily takes argument scores into account.
All scores are updated in real-time.
To learn more about the CreateDebate scoring system, check out the FAQ.

When you are ready to voice your opinion, use the Add Argument button to create an argument.
If you would like to address an existing argument, use the Support and Dispute link within that argument to create a new reply.

I didn't read all that you wrote, but I do have some knowledge of them. They say that it is a predecessor to Freemasonry. Freemasons have, for centuries, been at the center of conspiracy theories (it is for that reason that I always thought that it would be fascinating to 'go undercover').

"concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe and the spiritual realm," that there I would take pause to. They are talking about a 'spiritual realm,' some 'secret society,' of 'mystics'? They are involved in mysticism - some of them caught up in the supernatural. But of course, only if you believe those things.

As for whether or not you should join it, it is not up to us to decide for you. If you want more details on them, I'm sure that Deviant knows more (that's right, always pick on him - he only seems to know everything).

One of my primary problems with religion is they prey on those desperate to hear anything.

So do you think these people have some secret Truth? Will they make you happy, make you feel like you belong? That in itself can be nice. But you will still feel like a black sheep. That's your nature I expect, maybe you should just embrace it. It might not be that bad, I kind of like it for myself.

I expect what will happen is you will repeat your past. I don't know you, but that is what people do.

People looking for an answer always find it one way or another. Doesn't mean the answer is right though.

Maybe instead of joining a new cult, you should consider the idea that perhaps there isn't an answer, or you're asking the wrong questions.

"The mind's its own place" and all that.

Sounds to me like you are doing what a lot of the indoctrinated do at some point. It's hard to separate oneself from what they were taught their whole life and felt was true since they remember,

Maybe you're turning into an atheist and just don't know it yet.

Or maybe you are going to just keep joining any group of people who will have you.

He said that maybe you are just joining a group that'll have you. As long as you are on CD, we'll have you. You are welcomed here - it doesn't matter about your past or who you are, everybody's opinions are welcomed.

You were invited to join the Rosicrucian Order? It appears that everyone is. [1]

It's only going to cost you between $77 to $382 a year to be a member. But that is a small price to pay to gain the power to become invisible at will -- if that teaching really works.

One observer has commented that the Rosicrucian's are a low-pressure, less expensive version of Scientology, based on New Age beliefs instead of L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction.

Some say you can learn everything the Rosicrucian's have to teach for only $18.44. That's quite a savings! [2] The author of this book says, "real Rosicrucians would never take your money the way AMORC does".

Perhaps you were invited to join the Ancient Order of the Rosicrucians, the Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua, or the the Lectorium Rosicrucianum, just some of the many competing Rosicrucian groups out there. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, various groups styled themselves Rosicrucian. Almost all claimed to be authentic heirs to a historical Rosicrucian tradition, itself highly suspect. All claim that the others are frauds. About that claim, they may all be correct.

It is said that, "The Rosicrucian Order was invented in the early 1600's by European intellectuals who wrote allegorical tales blending alchemy with Protestant Christianity. These days, they are just another for-profit New Age group, leveraging claims to ancient wisdom into bank deposits". [3]

Invented? Was this an actual organization, or just a fantasy? No actual Rosicrucians ever surfaced, but there was plenty of documentation about them. The problem is that these documents are, for the most part, obviously fictional.

You might want to read "The Real History of the Rosicrucians" by Arthur Edward Waite. Originally published in 1888, this book is generally considered to be a fair and objective review of Rosicrucian history. [4]

The invisibility trick? Just learn to gather clouds around you. You won't be noticed. Honestly -- if the Rosicrucian teachings are true.

I have a few things to say about that topic and hopefully some of it may be of interest to you.

There is practical alchemy which seeks to transmuting metals, specifically, baser metals into gold.

And then there is a spiritual, or inner, alchemy which seeks to transform our baser nature into something more refined.

Alchemy is one of the foundational elements of Rosicrucianism, as exemplified by the third and final manifesto, "Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz", an allegorical tale of the processes of "alchemy" and the inner transformation of the soul.

A major part of alchemy is the search for the "elixir of life" which will increase our life span or even ensure our immortality. This is a central concern of Chinese alchemy which is a part of the larger tradition of Taoism. It pre-dates Western alchemy.

Chinese alchemy offers one essential element that is largely missing in Western alchemy; the system of energy practices that bring about the inner transformation. It is known as Taoist Yoga.

Chinese alchemical yoga involves a combination of physical exercises, breathing techniques, meditation and an ordered and balanced diet designed to increase longevity. Taoist Yoga practice has at its heart the cultivation of Vital Energy or Chi.

For study of Taoist Yoga, I recommend:

1. "Taoist Yoga: Alchemy & Immortality" by Charles Luk [1]

2. "Body of Light" by John Mann and Lars Short. [2]

The book gives beginners an excellent overview of energy work. It compares different approaches to working with the "subtle body", focusing on the Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist traditions, but also looking at other approaches. It provides practical meditation exercises for energy work taken from different traditions.

I lived for a year in a yoga ashram directed by John and have attended meditation sessions run by a student of Lars. However, it is very difficult to find people doing the work they teach so I recommend you look into:

3. Qigong, a modern incarnation of the ancient practice of Chinese energy work. If you can not find a group offering help with the practice of Qigong, the next best thing is to take some t'ai chi classes. I have not personally evaluated any organizations that offer Qigong work, so I can't recommend one over another. But one place to start your search, should you decide to do this, is at the web site of the National Qigong Association, where you can find listings of teachers and members in your area. [3]

Of course, if your study is not alchemy, then all this may be irrelevant. However, it may be of use to someone.

An important person to whom? He certainly plays a prominent role in several legends. [1]

He also seems to have written a work about alchemy: Rosarium Philosophorum. [2]

Carl Jung studied the analogies between alchemy, Christian dogma, and psychological symbolism. I seem to recall he made specific use of the illustrations from Villanova's work in his analysis. You might be able to find this book in a public or university library: "Psychology and Alchemy (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.12)" [3]

The blind following of any group or religion I feel is an inappropriate way of using your intellect, mind, and life. There is value to be found in most mystic, spiritual or religious groups although you may need to sift through the dogma to get to the kernals of "truth" within them. I think the bottom line for any teaching or practice is whether it works for you in life. Does it make your life better to follow the practices or to study the knowledge base? I suppose "better" is subjective but there are possible common characteristics of a "better life" found throughout our culture. Here are perhaps some examples. 1. Does it give you a more empowered view of yourself and your place in the world-universe? 2. Does it make you happier or more joyful? 3. does it improve your relationships with others? 4. does it help you improve your place in the world...financially...socially...etc (whatever holds most value or importance to you). 5. does it teach you skills or mind and body that assist you in reaching your goals? 6. does it promote no harm to self or others through your acts?

Just remember to never take any information for granted. If AMORC gives you information or teachings to read..cross reference them and delve deeper into source material....whether if be Kabbalah....alchemy.....Mystic traditions. In the end "truth" and info needs to be made your own.

As for AMORC being a "for profit" organization...they charge $15 a month to send you via internet materials to read. If you want them to send you hard copies of the same matierial it is a bit more. Any organization has administrative costs and AMORC has a egyptian musium and planetarium and such that they run as a non-profit. It seems a small price to get the information and have access to the resources. Of course, these days many of the written resources are available online or free at google-books.

As a disclaimer, I recently (6 months) have joined AMORC and participate in a local Pronaos (group). I find it both intellectually, spiritually, and socially fullfilling. I also read and have read alot on my own.

As far as I can tell from the links provided this "Rosicrucian Order" has no affiliation with the Freemason. I do know that the Scottish Rite Freemasons (USA) has a Rose Croix order. As for "going under cover" in the Freemasons try knocking on the door they will show you around and answer all your questions.

Of course they would show me around - it would show me that they have nothing to hide. However, almost every conspiracy theory wraps around the Freemasons - whether or not they are involved, it would still be fascinating to learn.

I'm not going to comment much about all of these things. But one thing I know about all secret societies is their number one rule is to never talk about it, to never tell anybody about it, to deny it's existance and to keep it a secret society.

This doesn't sounds like a secret society. So it's nothing that great I guess.

What do you mean by a different kind of society? I know little about the Rosicrucian Order other than that they are a Secret Society, they are involved in mystics, and that they are some type of predecessor to Freemasonry.